DEPRESSION
1. What is it?
Depression is a common problem. We can all relate to days where we feel sad or down and may even tell others that we feel depressed. Serious depression is different in that we feel down for more than 2 weeks at a time. We may also cry frequently, feel guilty, helpless, hopeless, agitated, anxious, tired, unable to sleep, have difficulty concentrating, increased or decreased appetite, weight loss or gain and perhaps even have thoughts of harming yourself. We may have only a few or any combination of many of these symptoms.
2. Why might it develop?
Depression may develop in response to painful circumstances, unmet expectations about how our life should be, lack of skills in handling a difficult or sensitive life situation, or in response to actual or perceived loss. Other causes of depression include relationship problems, role transitions and loneliness or social isolation. While our biology may influence the experience of depression it does not cause the problem. Medication may therefore assist in the treatment of depression but will not address or resolve or “cure” the psychological symptoms of this problem.
3. What is the impact on you and the people around you?
People who are experiencing depression often tell themselves negative or unhelpful things, such as “I’m an awful person” or “I’ll never find happiness”. These thoughts then impact on how you begin to think about our life and the whole world in general. There is a big chance then, that your relationships with others have become disrupted. Due to your depression, you may be experiencing a lack of communication with, and feelings of isolation from those close to you. Others may have found your behavior frustrating and hard to understand. They may be wondering why you are seemingly so negative and unmotivated!
4. Some tips on how to handle it.
Here are some general ideas that may be of benefit to you:
Monitor the sorts of things you are saying to yourself. If you expect that things will ALWAYS go badly, chances are your behaviour will lead to this outcome.
- Ask yourself, “Are my thoughts helping me, or harming me?”.
- Try and tell yourself kinder and more helpful thoughts.
- Nurture yourself by taking time out for you. Take a walk, have a long bath, read your favourite book, go to a movie, ring a friend you haven’t spoken to in a long time, etc.
- Set yourself a small, clear and specific task to achieve each day. Action creates motivation and therefore more action.